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Doubling photon-processing power for MKID readout

Chris Patrick

Published Nov 8, 2024• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Scalable platform based on Radio-Frequency System-on-Chip technology can read out twice as many Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors as previous systems.
DOI
10.1063/10.0034449

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This report covers work done at Data Processing and Readout System Development Laboratory at Nazarbayev University implementing data processing algorithm for readout electronics. Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) are photon detectors based on superconducting resonators. MKIDs are capable of detecting single photons with very small energy and micro second time resolutions. With proper readout electronic system it is possible to read arrays of thousands MKIDs using single signal line using frequency domain multiplexing (FDM). This report details the work done developing a laboratory setup for measuring MKIDs and developing code for frequency measurements. All the work was done using readout system based on a Re-configurable Open Archite Computing Hardware (ROACH) FPGA board and The Collaboration for Astronomy Signal Processing and Electronics Research (CASPER) software.
A microwave kinetic inductance detector (MKID) is a superconducting pair-breaking detector used for astronomical observations in the sub-millimeter through visible range. Radiation is detected as a phase and amplitude signal proportional to the frequency shift of the device. In the case of arrays of MKIDs, the read-out is performed using the frequency division multiplexing technique. However, there is currently no commercial system or low-cost standard electronics available for this task. In this work, we take the first steps towards developing a low-cost readout system for MKIDs based on the Red Pitaya board. We have developed a firmware for the efficient generation of probe tones, and show figures of merit characterizing the performance of the readout in a hardware prototype. The design is flexible, letting us to adapt it to new frequencies and amplitudes requirements of the MKID arrays.
Astrophysical photons with a sub-millimetre wavelength are of great value to research star and galaxy formation. Superconductors have a small energy gap with which these sub-millimetre photons can be measured. Superconductors can absorb photons so that quasiparticles are created, which will in turn change the complex conductivity: incoming photons change the electrical response of the superconductor. This principle can be used to realise a detector. This is done with the Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) that consist of a superconducting film embedded in a resonant circuit, so that photons falling in will change the resonant frequency. This can be measured with a readout signal. To enhance the sensitivity of the MKID, we want to increase the responsivity of an MKID as much as possible.A previous study has proposed a figure of merit regarding the material properties of a superconductor to achieve a high responsivity. However, the readout frequency used is not included in this figure. The goal of this work is to extend the figure of merit so that the readout frequency of the MKID can be optimised for a higher responsivity.